Promoting a smoke free campus for UNM
Diary, By Juan f. Larrañaga (written on 12-9-05)
Resolution 2005 UNM Smoke Free Campus Sponsor: Sabra Basler & Staff Council Employee Rights Committee UNM Smoke Free Campus Whereas, there is a nationwide movement for university & college campuses to be smoke free for the well being of faculty, staff, students, patients, and visitors; Whereas, these peer campuses are smoke free: CSU Fresno, San Francisco SU, SUNY, Univ. of St. Louis, Temple U., Azusa Pacific, John Hopkins U. Medical School, St. Norbert College, Yeshiva U.; Also, city wide there are various designated smoke free areas: ABQ Zoo & Biological Park. Presbyterian Hospital is smoke free. Whereas, University Hospital is planning to be smoke free in 2007; Whereas, UBPP 2250 (1997) states smoking is prohibited in or at: " all enclosed buildings and facilities including classrooms, offices, food service venues, lavatories, and most residence halls (in accordance with Residence Life policies); " corridors, elevators, and enclosed walkways; " University-owned vehicles; and " indoor and outdoor athletic or other University-sponsored or designated events; Furthermore, Smoking of tobacco products is prohibited in University buildings, facilities, vehicles, and during organized indoor and outdoor events on University property. This policy also applies to other legal smoking preparations such as clove cigarettes. To allow individuals an opportunity to adjust to the changes required by this policy, the campus community is asked to go smoke-free as soon as possible, but no later than three (3) months after the effective date reflected above. Whereas, December is a UNM Employee Health Promotion Month for wellness; Whereas, Staff Council promotes healthy lifestyles for staff, students, perspective students, and youth; Whereas, clean air is an employee right; Therefore, this resolution serves to promote a smoke free campus by 2007. Furthermore, smokers are asked to self police per the smoke free campus regulation. Lack of self policing may lead to warnings and being escorted off campus property (in extreme cases). Furthermore, smoking cessation programs are available to smokers through University Hospital Patient Education and UNM Employee Health. Furthermore, the Commission (Commission on Substance Abuse at Colleges and Universities) considers a smoke-free campus to be a necessary step to protect all students, faculty and staff from the risks of smoking. A smoke-free campus is no longer an option for colleges and universities; it is an obligation (Smoke Free Campus 1993). Attachments: Daily Lobo article, Letter: University should enforce campus smoking policies 9/13/05